Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 372 Lisa: Ava's Camp

LISA

After miles of walking, the sun is pretty high in the sky.

I'm too exhausted to shove back layers to take a peek at my watch, plus I really don't want to know what time it is. If it's too early, I'll know we're still ages from seeing Ava. If it's too late, I'll be even more exhausted knowing how long we've been trudging through the snow.

Better to just keep going as my lungs burn and my whole body aches. I really thought I was ready for this, but I'm not in as good of shape as I'd thought.

Kellan's doubtful stare when I asked to come along is really making sense.

"Don't worry." Mira's friendly voice tells me she's back. Sometimes she roams ahead, helping break trail. "We aren't far now."

Thank. Fucking. God.

Mira points at a thin line of grey against the pale winter sky. "See that smoke? That's their camp."

My shoulders sag with relief as I stare at the back of Kellan's head. His broad shoulders haven't slowed once during our trek, and here I am ready to collapse. "Have I slowed you all down?"

"Not at all." Mira's smile warms her words. "We don't always scout in wolf form, you know."

"Why not?" It hadn't occurred to me that they would do that, but now that she's mentioned it—well, why wouldn't they? "Wouldn't it be easier?"

boots sending up a sparkling spray. "Things are different when we're shifted. We

"Different how?"

bonds grow stronger, but complex reasoning becomes harder. Plus, clothes are

at Kellan's back. His steady

my spine despite the freezing air. My legs burn with each step through the deep snow, and my breath comes in harsh pants that crystallize in front of my face. The rising sun does nothing to warm me, though

cooking meat makes my mouth water. The promise of warmth and food urges me forward those last few

shout carries across the snow

wave back, a silver blur crashes through the snow. Selene slams into me with the force of a furry semi, knocking me flat on my back.

my face from her assault. "Your

my feet. Snow clings to my clothes, but I don't care as I stumble

all the way out here?"

you." I pull back, noting the rosy flush in her cheeks. She looks better than I do after a night in

But once Vanessa shoves this meal

conversation with Marcus, their heads bent together as they discuss whatever important wolf business demands their attention. We're here to bring meat back

heard you caught a

snorts. "The men caught a moose. I'm just going to

growl. Ava laughs and loops her arm through mine, leading me

bundles, barely sparing us a glance as we enter the warm

tents I've ever seen camping are small. Not

but Greg

on what appears to be a folded sleeping bag. My muscles protest the movement—I'll definitely feel this trek tomorrow. But it was worth it. Good to know what these people do every time they go